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WINNIPEG -- Pop singer Serena Ryder is proving to be the darling of this year's Juno Awards.

A day before co-hosting Sunday's televised awards broadcast, the Toronto singer-songwriter was named artist of the year, beating out heavyweight contenders Celine Dion, Drake, Michael Buble and Robin Thicke.

Artists and nominees packed the RBC Convention Centre here to watch and accept the majority of the Juno's 41 awards. Only six awards will be given out on Sunday, including Juno fan choice, top album, single and group.

Calgary-born twin sisters Tegan and Sara, who will be performing on Sunday, took home the award for pop album of the year for their smash album Heartthrob, while Arcade Fire -- who are not in town -- took home alternative album honours for their double-disc album Reflektor.

Ryder, Tegan and Sara and the Arcade Fire are all up for awards at Sunday's televised broadcast.

Saturday proved to be a lucky night for Juno co-hosts, as Johnny Reid took home the award for top adult contemporary album for A Christmas Gift to You.

Rocker Matt Mayes took home rock album of the year for Coyote, while heavy rockers Protest the Hero took home the award for top metal/hard music album.

Saskatchewan rockers the Sheepdogs' Feeling Good won for video of the year.

Bruno Mars beat out Eminem, Imagine Dragons, One Direction and Pink for top international album, while Dean Brody took home country album of the year.

kristin.annable@sunmedia.ca

Juno Awards handed out Saturday night:

Artist of the year: Serena Ryder, Serenader Source

Breakthrough artist: Brett Kissel, BAK2BAK

Pop Album: Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara

Rock Album: Matt Mays, Coyote

Metal/hard music album: Volition, Protest the Hero

Country Album: Crop circles, Dean

Alternative Album: Arcade Fire, Reflecktor

Adult Alternative Album: Ron Sexsmith, Forever Endeavor

International album: Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars

Electronic album: Guilt Trips, Ryan Hemsworth

R&amp;B recording: Can't Choose, JRDN featuring Kardinal Offishall

Rap recording: Nothing was the Same, Drake

Reggae recording: Strive, Exco Levi and Kabaka Pyramid

Aboriginal album: Surrender, George Leach

Roots and traditional album: Valleyheart, Justin Rutledge

Roots and traditional album, group: We Still Move on Dance Floors, the Strumbellas

Adult Contemporary: A Christmas Gift to you, Johnny Reid

Dance Recording: This is What it Feels Like, Armin van Buuren and Trevor Guthrie

Video: Feeling Good, Matt Barnes -- The Sheepdogs

Classical Album -- large ensemble or soloist with large ensemble: Britten and Shostakovich: Violin Concerti, James Ehnes

Classical album -- solo or chamber ensemble: Prokofiev Complete Works for Violin, James Ehnes